The Game-on-the-Line/Final Possession foul is one of the most inscrutable events in professional team sports. There isn’t an equivalent. Baseball umpires have no compunction about a called third strike when the game is on the line. Refs on the gridiron will flag defensive backs for pass interference in the most crucial game situations. For whatever reason, though, it’s universally accepted that the threshold for a foul is elevated to aggravated assault in a game’s closing seconds. Basketball referees swallow their whistles and let “the players decide the game.” And by and large, that’s the way we like it.

So when Cuttino Mobley’s foul on Antawn Jamison with :02.2 seconds, it’s incomprehensible. Here’s what happens: The Clips lead 100-97. DeShawn Stevenson inbounds the ball on the far side to Jamison outside the arc. Jamison, covered by Mobley, catches the inbound, spins 180 degrees clockwise to square up for the 3PA. Cat has his left hand on Jamison’s right hip. But as Jamison sets and elevates for the shot, Cat actually removes his hand. As Jamison releases the ball, there’s absolutely no contact between the two players. But Olandis Poole whistles Cat for the foul and Jamison goes to the line, and hits three of three.

Clipperblog rarely brings officiating into the conversation. But I don’t think it’s a stretch to suggest that if this situation were to play itself out 100 times, the defender would be whistled for the foul maybe twice. In fact, let’s take the situation out of its crucial context. Barring egregious contact on a follow-through [see Thomas and Maggette’s earlier fouls on Washington 3PAs], it’s rare you hear any whistles beyond the arc.

I suppose we can criticize Mobley for the foul, but as a fan, I like my team to actually, you know, defend a final shot. What I see here from Cuttino Mobley and Antawn Jamison is a straight-up NBA play with a game on the line. And the subsequent whistle is unconscionable.

Regarding the first 47:58, I love Maggette as a catch-and-shoot artist when his shot is falling. In the closing seconds of the first half, he uses a Thomas screen beautifully to get an open look from the arc. In the second half, he swings around behind Quentin Ross on a broken set. And in the fourth, he exploits the Washington zone to step back and launch a couple. Tonight reminds me of his torrid run in December and early January: FGM>FTA.

Al Thornton leaves the game in the first half with a left leg contusion. No word on the extent of the injury.

Lineup at the conclusion of the first half:

Brevin KnightSmush ParkerCuttino MobleyJosh Powell Nick Fakekas

Given Parker’s injury, I’m still trying to figure out precisely what this guy gives you other than some length. To call him a cipher would be unfair to the place value system. Zero suggests a non-effect, and Parker is an undeniable negative.

Posted Wednesday, October 29 at 3:20PM

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The Clippers are firmly planted in the sixth spot. That is not going to change without unforeseen surprising circumstances. Some wins would be nice for the fans. I have NEVER seen a team lose the way the Clippers did yesterday. Up four with like 4 seconds left. It was tough to stomach. I don't blame Mobley either although I have it when I see him doing his backing down thing on the wing. Rarely does anything good come of that and it stagnates the offense. Well, what offense is that? The Clippers have become, other than a few sets for Maggette catch and shoot or drive, an isolation team. It sucks to watch.

This one left a stench despite a remarkable game from Maggette while playing on two bad wheels. It seems to me that there are other players on the Clippers who might be woosies when it comes to playing with a little ache or pain.

pro basketball news says the lakers and clippers will make a push for gilbert arenas this summer. i bet the the lakers do it if they don't win the title. and yes i trust this site because they were the first to report that the lakers-wolves talks for garnett were off last summer:

Basketball is a contact sport. He wasn't touched while shooting. The Wizards got 39 other free throw attempts that game. So that call was just the most egregious in a long night of injustice. 26 per game to 42 that night.

Even if it was a foul, which it wasn't, it should have been 2 shots. See also: Mobley @ home versus Rockets last season for the tie. Which is it Javie and Bavetta? If you are "fouled" on the catch and immediately shoot, is it 2 shots or 3 shots?

If it weren't for officiating like this, it would be impossible to believe NBA games had ever been fixed. Thanks to calls like these, its easy to believe they were and are.

This got linked on Truehoop, so expect plenty of other Wizards apologists to show up. There is no foul. It was a terrible call. Then the Wizards fans had the balls to boo the officials in the overtime. Idiots.

I like the sound of below:
Meanwhile, the Clippers have reportedly been trying to deal forward Corey Maggette and "would be willing to trade the entire team if it meant pairing Arenas with Elton Brand (also out for the year with a knee injury)," the source said.

Why anyone wants to trade Maggette is a mystery. We all know he's unhappy with Dunleavy's "system." Hollinger has him ranked as the 4th best at his position.
All the fans know he and Brand are the best on the team.
What a painfull year.